Not sure if I should give dog up or not

[Pantone363]

I have a wonderful black lab, nearly 2 years old.

No issues, he is from working stock (litter of 11 only he went as a family pet). He is such a good dog, never had any issues with him.

As a puppy we attended training classes and the man who ran them trains dogs for trials. He was so impressed with him he asked if he could possibly train him up and work him at trials (he has 3 retired dogs of his own but didn't have the space for another one).

It's the perfect arrangement, I was at college 2 days a week and he took him on those days and trained him. I got a highly trained dog and he wasn't left alone for 2 days a week.

So two years on and he now has him about 4 days a week and brings him back at night (also keeps him if I am away). They have an amazing bond.

Anyway, trainer asked to speak to me last week and he is moving about an hr away as he has just purchased a new business (kennels). He asked if I would consider giving G up to him. Now I obviously thought no straight away as he is our family dog.

But on reflection, my college days are going up to full time soon and this is a dog that is use to working, he is miserable at home alone. They have such a bond (he whines at the door when trainer goes for about 20 mins). It feels now like he's not really "my" dog anymore. Removing emotions from it, he would be more fulfilled with the trainer and isn't really a "family pet". Even on walks he's never really relaxed but wants instruction all the time.

The only obstacle I really see are the DC who would be quite upset, I've no idea how to broach the subject with them. Trainer made it clear he is happy for us to visit as and when we want to.

Given I'm going to be spending more and more time out of the house and I don't know how G will react to loss of trials/trainer is this a good idea? WWYD?

Quick note. It sounds like trainer is trying to take my dog, it's not like that at all! They are very close and he is a really lovely man, who just floated the idea and said he knew how difficult it would be for us.

It also sounds like I don't care about the dog! I really really do, my favorite bit of the day is our walks, I would really miss him being here as company when DC are at their dads.

What a tough one .....
would be so hard to not have him with you
but if his best interests are the main thing I think he would be happier with man that he obviously has a very close bond with and can give him the stimulation he needs .
poor you :( you will probably feel bad what ever you decide .

That's a tricky one, I would look at it from your dogs point of view. I took on a 3year old cocker from a family who had split and even though he was very loved and wanted, both parents had started working full time and neither could give him the attention (or what the dog wanted which was company) that he needed. I have had him 3 years and work him during shoot season and believe me this dog turns into a completely different dog as soon as my shoot jacket comes out of the cupboard, he was bred for working and lives for it. I am a sahm so apart from small children I have the time and energy for the dog. His previous owners have seen him but don't want any interaction as they feel it would be unfair, I completely understand this. I may be the only one who thinks this but maybe letting him go to this trainer is the best thing for your dog, they clearly have a very close bond (not saying that you don't) but it sounds like this dog needs more than you can give him.

I'd say let him go. It is awful sad, but I think you have to do what the dog clearly wants, especially given he is going to have a spend a lot of time alone when college days go up. You already said he was miserable on the short times he is home alone.

I'd take up the offer of visiting him in his new home though. I think that would help the DC see how happy he is.

Honestly, and unusually for me, I think in your position I would allow the trainer to adopt him.

He is obviously a highly intellegent, carefully trained dog who has unsurprisingly built an incredible relationship with his trainer. It is nigh on impossible to train a dog to trial level without that becoming the case. It is also important to recognise how much your dog will LOVE the training/work/trials.

If your dog was older, I would have a different opinion, but such a young dog being left alone for an increasing amount of time AND his training/working/competing love disappearing is likely to really struggle with the change. I fear it would make very unhappy.

i would let him go, it sounds like it would be best for the dog. maybe look at getting another dog when you can be at home a bit more? or get a non working breed perhaps

Is let him go and get another dog when you're home more.

Thanks for all your replies.

Cath especially from you. That's exactly it, I feel like he's turned into a wonderful working dog 98/100 on his last trials! But not so much a family dog anymore.

I'll try and speak with the kids tonight.

Let him go, sometimes we are a little selfish, you are obviously not like this and taking the dogs interest seriously, so hats off to you. Put it this way imagine, if you went out to work everyday, loved going to work, enjoyed your colleagues company and then all of a sudden you lost your job and couldn't leave the house, how miserable would you be ?